“Disrespectful to him and to me”: Rybakina comes out in defence of coach after Australian Open controversy
WTA
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has once again come out in
defence of her coach Stefano Vukov.
The 36-year-old came under severe criticism after making
animated gestures and shouting at the current world number five during the
Australian Open 2023 semifinal against Victoria Azarenka.
Rybakina was recently quoted in a report where she stated
that people in the tennis community criticised her coach without knowing the
full picture and that it was not only disrespectful towards him but towards her
as well.
"People don't really know us that well and like to
comment or say something that they don't know," she said. "It's not
their business at the end of the day. I think it was kind of disrespectful to
him and to me. I just had to do it so everybody knows that whatever they can
see or think, they don't know us. Hopefully, we won't get any other comments
like these.”
In that match, the 24-year-old came out on top in straight
sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3. However, she fell one step short of lifting her
second Grand Slam title after losing the all-important final to the current
world number one Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
From there on, Rybakina found it hard to continue the
momentum in the remaining big tournaments during the year.
In the French Open, she withdrew from the third round because of
illness which ended her campaign.
In Wimbledon, where she was defending the title, her journey
came to an abrupt end after she lost to last year’s finalist Tunisia’s Ons
Jabeur in the quarterfinal with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.
In the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year — the US Open
— Rybakina was knocked out from the third round after losing to Romania’s Sorana
Cirstea with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
